Philippines Warns ASEAN Not to Let Differences Divide It

Islamabad (ANTARA) – Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. told Southeast Asian defence ministers on Wednesday (28 October) that ASEAN must “not let differences divide us from within”.

Teodoro made the remarks in his speech at the opening ceremony of the 20th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM), which he chaired in Cebu, the Philippines.

ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn and defence ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) also attended the meeting, according to the organisation in a post on X.

The Philippines, which currently holds the chairmanship of the 11-member bloc, hosted the meeting under the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together”.

At the meeting, ASEAN defence ministers issued a joint statement marking the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia and the 20th anniversary of the ADMM.

The ministers also agreed on several new initiatives and activities under the ADMM framework.

“ASEAN was founded on the belief that our strength lies in our diversity,” Teodoro said, as quoted by local English-language outlet Rappler.

“Therefore, we must not let differences divide us from within; and where differences arise, including in the South China Sea, we must resolve them through peaceful and legal means,” he added.

Some ASEAN defence leaders will also attend the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), as well as separate meetings with defence ministers from the United States, India, Japan, Australia and South Korea.

Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun did not attend the summit and was represented by the defence attaché at the Chinese Embassy in Manila.